Part 36 (1/2)
We got into bed, lying close to each other on my small, single bed. She s.h.i.+vered and moved closer to me, pressing against me for warmth. I tentatively put my arms around her, not wanting to seem too insistent. She had only offered me this night; perhaps she only needed, or wanted, to make love once. I couldn't imagine ever wanting to stop touching her.
She wrapped her arms around me, burying one hand in my hair.
”d.a.m.n, Micky,” she said. ”Michele. Middle name?”
”You'll laugh,” I answered.
”No, I won't.”
”Antigone. The Greek influence, I guess.”
”Michele Antigone Robedeaux,” she whispered softly in my ear.
I almost started crying, but caught myself. The last person that had ever used my full name had been my dad. ”Knight. It's Knight now,” I said to get the memory of my father's voice out of my head.
”Shh, I know,” she answered, stroking my cheek. She kissed me lightly. Then again. I responded, no longer caring if she knew how much I wanted this.
”Are we going to do this again?” she said with a slight laugh.
”Only to keep warm,” I replied to keep her laughing, to hide my need.
”Good idea.” She kissed me again.
I wanted to make love slowly, but my desire for her flared. My embrace tightened, one arm around her shoulders pus.h.i.+ng her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against mine, the other down around her waist, then her hips, pulling her to me. My hand moved to go between her legs. I stopped myself, my hand on her thigh.
”I'm sorry,” I said, trying to slow myself down.
”Micky, for what?”
”Too fast, too rough. I'll...”
”No, you won't,” she responded. She laughed, pulling me on top of her and wrapping her legs around me. ”Come on,” she said, still laughing. ”Faster. Rougher.” She guided my hand between her legs.
”Go in me.” I did. ”Oh, yes,” she rewarded me. ”Can you spread your legs enough for me to enter you?”
”Yes, I can.”
Somehow she got her hand between our bodies and put a finger * 238 *
up in me. I gasped as she started moving in and out. I started losing my concentration because of what she was doing to me. I wasn't sure if I was still moving my fingers in her, or just lying still, letting her do me.
”Stop. Or at least slow down,” I said. ”I can't pay attention to what I'm doing.”
”Let me go down on you.”
”I'm about to come,” I replied.
She took her fingers out.
”Not yet. I've still got some exploring to do.”
”I'm not sure I can move.”
”Then don't. I'll move. You can sit on my face.”
I laughed. The thought delighted me. Because she wasn't just looking for a physical release, but she wanted to touch me, too. If only for a night. I rolled off her. If she hadn't caught me, I would've fallen off the edge of the bed.
”Thanks,” I said.
”On your back. And spread your legs.”
I did. She didn't have to stay down very long. I had closed my eyes for a moment, then opened them to look at her. Cordelia making love by candlelight, I thought as I watched her. Making love to me. The thought made me come.
I lay exhausted, holding her and kissing her wet face.
”I'll be down in a second. Let me catch my breath,” I said.
”I can't wait,” she said, emphasizing each word. She spread her legs over my thigh and started moving against me.
”Not yet,” I said. ”A hand, a tongue, let me.”
”Just hold me. Hold me very tight,” she said in short breaths.
I held her as she let out a long gasp, arched for a second, then pushed herself into me. I held her until her shudders subsided, until she lay still, until her breath resumed a soft, steady cadence.
”G.o.d, that's good,” she said, smiling at me in the candlelight. ”I think I could fall asleep right here on top of you.”
”I don't think I would mind.” I wouldn't mind if you stayed forever.
I wanted to hold on to Cordelia as best I could. In the morning I would have to let her go and wish her well.
”Thank you, Michele Antigone,” she said as she slipped off me.
”You're most welcome, Cordelia. Cordelia?”
* 239 *
”Katherine. Pretty boring.”
”Cordelia Katherine James,” I said for the sound of it. ”Pretty, not boring.”
”Good night, Micky.”
”Good night.”
I blew out the candle. She propped herself up on one elbow and looked at me.